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Tuesday, May 13, 2003
posted by gbarto at 1:31 PM:
Lighter fare: The turkeysister passes along this memo, sent to graduating seniors at the University of Arizona. It's striking to note that this - what's described in the memo - is a tradition, which probably means that people the age of the guy who authored the memo started it. Why do hip young college kids latch onto the nerdy antics of such old squares?May 12, 2003Serious stuff to follow.
TO: Graduating Students
FROM: George H. Davis
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Pete Morris
GPSC President 2002-2003
Jani Radebaugh
GPSC President 2003-2004
Consider the meaning of throwing tortillas during Commencement. For some, this practice is probably intended as a celebratory gesture, similar to a shout of hurray. But what an action means is not completely contained in the intentions of the person performing the action. Actions have meanings for observers as well.
For many observers of Commencement, the meaning of a thrown tortilla is neither innocent nor fun. To begin with, the throwing of tortillas diminishes the dignity of the experience. Commencement is not a party but a ceremony, and revelry and disruption during the ceremony simply make it less ceremonial. More importantly, however, many within our student population, and our Tucson community, experience the throwing of tortillas and similar action as an alienating practice with undertones of racism. Despite these negative aspects, the practice persists, simply because large numbers of students hear that it is customary to throw tortillas at Commencement.
Graduation marks the end of long effort for most students. It is sad to think that this important ceremonial occasion is being compromised in a manner that is, to some, particularly depressing and discouraging. Knowing that few of you would choose to have these effects on others, we ask that you refrain from throwing tortillas during Commencement.
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